How Your Peers Can Help You After a Federal Layoff
- Amy Leighton
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Experiencing a layoff can happen to anyone. When you go through this, it’s best if you can turn to others for some support. What can you expect to gain from others when you approach them to talk about your layoff experience? You want to be realistic but also get the help you need, so here are a few things you can look for in terms of support from your peers.
Talk to them about your plans. Your friends and peers might be key to introducing you to your next job lead. In fact, their tendency might be to introduce you to anyone they know is hiring, even if you’re in event planning and their friend is in finance. So, explain to them what you need help with and what your next plans are. For example, if you’re happy to have some time to yourself, they can support you by getting together with you and thinking through your next step. If you want to change careers, perhaps they will have some contacts in that field for you.
See if they can help you with your resume or online profiles. If you’re back out there looking for a job, contact your friends and peers working in government and ask them to look over your resume and LinkedIn profile. If they don’t have a lot of time to help you, then ask if you can see their resumes to compare their information to yours. Have them take a look at your profiles online for feedback. For example, ask them if your LinkedIn headline stands out and if it provides them more information that just your job title.
Ask them for introductions. There could be no limit to who your friends or peers in government know and could introduce you to as you network for a new job. After you’ve had some time to regain your composure after your layoff, reach out to your contacts and let them know what’s going on. At first, see if you can ask some of their colleagues in government for advice, not to hit them up for a job. This will be a slow play into hopefully a new position that may not even be posted to the public.
One of the best things a friend or peer can do for you after a layoff is be there for you during the highs and lows, because you will experience them. Everyone has those people in their lives who make every conversation about themselves, and now is not the time for that. It’s easy for someone to support you when things are up, but right now, you need to look for those people who can be there for the lows too. Then, when you are settled in your new job, look for ways to support your peers who are also going through the same job frustrations.
Teach them how to ask for help on their own terms. Encourage boundaries and connection
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